C3 power antenna
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Rothschild Wisconsin
C3 power antenna
I put a new power antenna in my 1981 corvette 1n 2011 and now it is not working again. I also bought a heat shield bag for it when it was installed. Should this antenna lasted longer? why do they quit working? is this a common problem. Can I fix the old one? Bought it from Mid America Motor Works.
Thanks for your help
Thanks for your help
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,657
Likes: 3,117
From: Shamong, NJ
Was the antenna the Delco reproduction, or was it a replacement antenna?
The repro Delco's had a lot of reliability issues, and hadn't been available for a few years. They were supposedly trying to improve the quality of them, before bringing them back out again. Admittedly, the actual Delco antennas never lasted all that long either. We always kept a couple in stock, because they were good sellers.
I haven't had any experience yet, with the correct repro antenna that just recently came out.
If if it is a repro Delco, and the motor is still running, but the mast won't go up or down, it may be repairable. The mast is raised by a nylon cord, and if the motor is working, the nylon cord has probably broken. There's a repair kit available that includes the nylon cord, mast and instructions. It sells for around $35, and is available through most vendors. If the motor's not working, then I don't know if much can be done to fix it.
The repro Delco's had a lot of reliability issues, and hadn't been available for a few years. They were supposedly trying to improve the quality of them, before bringing them back out again. Admittedly, the actual Delco antennas never lasted all that long either. We always kept a couple in stock, because they were good sellers.
I haven't had any experience yet, with the correct repro antenna that just recently came out.
If if it is a repro Delco, and the motor is still running, but the mast won't go up or down, it may be repairable. The mast is raised by a nylon cord, and if the motor is working, the nylon cord has probably broken. There's a repair kit available that includes the nylon cord, mast and instructions. It sells for around $35, and is available through most vendors. If the motor's not working, then I don't know if much can be done to fix it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I think this is a funny question, in that my '72 was an old show car, but stock radio the antenna on the rear fender was removed, holes filled in and antenna tucked outta the way under the fiberglass, and of course the radio never noticed....worked fine, and I even had an aftermarket install in there at one point over the last 20 years......but it all went out and I have nothing now.....loud enough exhaust, convertible, Florida, nuff said.....
BUT the body on any vette being plastic, you really don't need much of an 'antenna' just a piece of wire out back, away from the ignition.....
longer the better,
BUT the body on any vette being plastic, you really don't need much of an 'antenna' just a piece of wire out back, away from the ignition.....
longer the better,
